Russian forces are gaining more territory and are advancing in on Ukraine’s second largest city and almost 11,000 civilians have been told to evacuate.

Last week Russia started a strong advance on Kharkiv which saw around 8,000 terrified residents flee their homes.

Kharkiv has been hit by multiple missiles with at least 10 powerful explosions ringing throughout the city and there has been many casualties and the outlook is looking “bleak.”

The Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and Kharkiv OVA Chairman Oleg Sinegubov told people to stay in their “shelters” as further attacks will likely follow.

Terekhov said, “There has been an explosion in Kharkiv. Be careful – more attacks on the city are possible.”

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Local news outlet RBC reported, “A series of explosions rang out in Kharkiv.” It added, “The occupiers struck Kharkiv at least five times.”

A person wrote on X, “Repeated explosions in #Kharkiv. Some reporting as many as 7 or 8 explosions in the last half hour. There are fires and smoke.”

They added, “#Kharkiv has been battered by around a dozen S-300/400 missiles.” Another resident reported, “I heard 11 very powerful explosions in 20 minutes.”

The head of the OVA said that Russia had fired missiles which hit Kharkiv with some 10 explosions on civilian infrastructure.

He added, “According to preliminary data, five civilians were injured. The occupiers also hit Zolochiv, at least two were injured.”

Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of Kharkiv said, “A total of 10980 people were evacuated from Chuguiv, Kharkiv, Bogodukhiv districts.”

Speaking about the attacks in Kharkiv he said, “As a result of the KAB shelling in the Shevchenkivsk district, the glass windows in 3 apartment buildings, the building of two cafes, the car wash, the gas station glazing, the building of a grocery store, 2 trams and 11 cars, 1 vehicle has been destroyed.”

He added, “In the Kharkiv direction, 8 attacks of the opponent in the areas of the villages of Liptsi and Starytsia.

“Fighting in the direction of Pletenivka-Vovchansk continues. The situation is under control by the Defense Forces. In the Kupyan direction of the defense forces repelled 22 attacks of the zagarbnikív.

“There are still four combat clashes in the areas of Berestovogo and Makííivka. The situation is under control. A total of 10980 people were evacuated from Chuguiv, Kharkiv, Bogodukhiv districts.”

Russia now has more than 500,000 troops along the frontline and according to an expert the situation looks “bleak” for Ukraine.

Dr Jack Watling from The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) warned, “The Russian forces have now expanded to 510,000 troops.

“The outlook for Ukraine is bleak. Its allies must replenish stockpiles.”

The Ukrainian Defence Minister gave a grave warning last week that it is “extremely difficult” for his soldiers to hold ground in Kharkiv as they are outgunned by Russian troops.

Rustem Umerov made a renewed plea, he said, “We need more artillery shells as Russia is still many times ahead.

“Under such conditions it’s extremely difficult to hold the ground.”